DUI task force expects a busy no-refusal weekend

Montgomery County law enforcement will be out in full force this Memorial Day weekend as part of the District Attorney’s No Refusal program.

Starting Friday night and continuing through Sunday, at least 20 additional officers and deputies will be on duty throughout the county specifically looking for drunk drivers.

Law enforcement from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Conroe Police and the DA’s Office participate in the program with funds provided from the Texas Department of Transportation. Precinct 4 Constable’s Office and the city of Willis receives their grants from the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

The grants pay for the overtime accrued during the extended holiday weekend.

“Our goal is to make Montgomery County roads safer through education and enforcement,” said Warren Diepraam, chief prosecutor of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Section.

The No Refusal program incorporates Montgomery County law enforcement, judges and medical personnel to lawfully collect blood samples from drivers who have been pulled over on suspicion of operating an automobile while intoxicated with alcohol or other prohibited substances like cocaine or marijuana, in spite of whether or not the driver refuses to submit to alcohol testing.

Whenever a crash occurs that suggests alcohol was a contributing factor, assistant district attorneys can obtain a warrant from a judge in a matter of minutes.

More than 20 drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated during Spring Break in March.

This weekend represents the start of Texas’ 100 Deadliest Days - the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day - when the summer weather encourages outside activities.

The no-refusal weekend isn’t limited to ground travel. The Texas Parks and Wildlife will double the number of wardens on patrol on Lake Conroe during the weekend, Diepraam said.

“Boating under the influence can carry the same deadly consequences as DUI,” he said.